Unara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Unara |
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Unara, 2005
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| Location | 9-13 Tourist Road, East Toowoomba, Toowoomba, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | c. 1906 |
| Official name: Unara, Unara Community Health Centre | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 March 2000 |
| Reference no. | 602177 |
| Significant period | c. 1906, 1954, 1962 (fabric) 1900s-1970s (historical, social) |
| Significant components | slab/s - concrete, laundry / wash house, trees/plantings |
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Unara is a special old house in East Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. It was built around 1906. This large timber house is also known as the Unara Community Health Centre. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it is an important historical building.
Contents
The Story of Unara
Unara is a big wooden house built around 1906. It was made for a very important person named Sir Littleton Groom. The house sits on Tourist Road, high up on the Toowoomba Range. From here, you can see the Lockyer Valley.
Who Was Sir Littleton Groom?
Sir Littleton Groom bought the land for Unara in 1904. He was a well-known person in the Darling Downs area. He was born in Toowoomba in 1867. His father, William Henry Groom, was also a famous politician. He was even the Mayor of Toowoomba.
Littleton Groom followed in his father's footsteps. He became a lawyer after studying at Melbourne University. Then, he became a Member of Parliament, just like his dad. He held this job for many years until he passed away in 1936. During his time in Parliament, he held many important roles. He was even the Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1926 to 1929. This means he was in charge of running meetings in Parliament. He was knighted in 1924, which is why he is called "Sir."
Unara's Changing Uses
After Sir Littleton Groom died in 1936, his wife moved out. The house was then rented to others. Later, it was sold and became a guest house. In 1945, the Department of Health bought Unara. They turned it into a "Mothercraft Home."
Mothercraft Homes were places where mothers could get help. They were especially for mothers who needed extra support with their babies. This included care for premature babies. Other similar homes were set up in different parts of Queensland.
To make Unara suitable for its new use, some changes were made. Many inside walls were covered with new boards. In 1954, a new section was added for staff to live in. Another section with nine rooms was built in 1962. A new laundry and workshop were added in 1974.
The Mothercraft Home closed in 1977. After that, the building was used as offices for different health services. More space was needed, so a temporary building was put up in 1986. Various community health services used Unara until 1999, when the building became empty.
The Gardens of Unara
The grounds around Unara are beautifully designed. They have old shrubs, trees, and hedges. There are also lawns and pathways. It is thought that many of the old trees and the way the garden is laid out date back to when Sir Littleton Groom lived there.
What Unara Looks Like
Unara is a big, low-set wooden house. It was built in 1906 and has features of the Federation Bungalow style. This was a popular house style in Australia around the early 1900s. Today, Unara is part of a bigger group of buildings. Two wings were added to the original house. One was built in 1954 and another in 1962. The kitchen area at the back was also extended.
Inside the House
The original layout of the house is still mostly there. The newer parts are clearly separate. The verandahs (porches) on the north and east sides have been closed in. You now enter the building from a doorway on the north-eastern side. Many rooms have been covered with new wall linings.
Some of the large, well-designed rooms still have their original features. These include fancy pressed metal ceilings. There are also leadlight windows, which have colourful glass designs. You can also see original tiled fireplaces and other decorative details. The house has many original doors. These doors often have special metal plates and handles with an Art Nouveau style. There are different types of windows, including old timber sash windows. Newer sliding and casement windows have also been added.
Some rooms now have sinks and built-in cupboards. Two kitchens have been added. They usually have simple wooden cabinets and stainless steel counters.
Outside the House
The outside of Unara has a large roof with many gables. A gable is the triangular part of a wall under a sloping roof. The roof is covered with corrugated steel. Some gables have timber and roughcast (a type of plaster) decorations. There are also some large bay windows that stick out from the house. One of these has colourful glass panes. The house has three red brick chimneys with square openings.
The verandahs are now enclosed with fibro (a type of building board). However, the rest of the house is covered in chamferboards. These are wooden planks with a sloped edge. The house sits on concrete stumps. You can get into the house using timber stairs. The stairs on the northern side seem to be the original entrance stairs. They have a wooden balustrade (railing) and handrail. A concrete path leads from the main gate on Tourist Road to these stairs. It then goes along the eastern side of the house.
The Grounds and Trees
Cars can enter the property from the southern end. A large gravel driveway covers this area. On this side, you will also find old trees. These include a Kauri Pine, other pine trees, and a Liquid Amber tree. Along the eastern side of the house is a tall camellia hedge. Two large camellia shrubs stand next to the entry path. At the back of the property, there is a big Magnolia tree, an oak tree, and a long leaf pine. There is also a wooden tank stand covered with wisteria vines.
Why Unara is Special
Unara was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on March 24, 2000. This means it is considered very important for several reasons.
A Look into Queensland's Past
Unara is important because it shows how Queensland's history has changed. It is strongly connected to Sir Littleton Groom. He was a very important politician in the Darling Downs area for over 30 years. He was a leading figure in the early years of Australia's Parliament.
The house also shows how Toowoomba developed. It highlights that the Range area was a popular place for important and wealthy people to live.
Beautiful Design and Setting
Unara is also special because of its pleasing design. It sits in a large garden with old trees, hedges, and lawns. This beautiful setting adds to its value.
Connection to the Community
Unara has a strong link to the community because of its connection to Sir Littleton Groom. This link is made even stronger by the Groom Memorial. This memorial is in a small park right across from the house. It is located where the Warrego Highway and Tourist Road meet.
